Pros and Cons of living in Linden Hills or Edina for a young family (Minneapolis: how much)

[keeney]

We have a four year old kid and are considering to move to Linden Hills or Edina(East). We live in Kenwood neighborhood, it is great and convenient, but our neighbors are all single young people or retired couple, it is difficult for my kid to make friends. We like energetic and active city life, but we also want good schools.

Which area is suitable for a young family, and very kids friendly? And what are the pros and cons of these two neighborhood.

[uptown_urbanist]

Linden Hills is the ultimate in family-friendly living. Tons of kids, a really popular park, great schools. I think odds are that if you live in Edina you'd end up spending lots of time in Linden Hills anyway, so instead of having to drive there, how much nicer for your kids to be able to walk or bike there instead!

[Glenfield]

If you are talking about the part of Edina that borders Linden Hills, they are two peas in a pod. Pick your school district then make your move. I think you might reconsider moving at all though since your kid is almost in school and that's going to be a source of friends.

[BillWallace]

Biggest differences -

- Schools is biggest one - Edina is very highly rated even if Mpls is improving it will be hard to catch up to what many consider premier district. Of course I argue that it's the affluence that leads to great results, not that the school/teachers are all that different.
- May be more home choices in lower price points in Linden Hills vs. Edina East
- Property Taxes - Minneapolis will be higher for houses with same valuations
- Appearance - Linden Hills is the trendy place for more affluent families who want to live in the city vs Edina which has the reputation of being a bit snobby - probably because they have so much affluence and school/sports success

[uptown_urbanist]

^ Keep in mind that when we're talking about schools you're talking about SW Minneapolis, Linden Hills specifically. People move TO Southwest Minneapolis because of the schools. There's no catching up to do on that front.

Agree that property taxes are higher in Minneapolis.

If OP does like where they live now I agree that it might be worth considering; we currently live near Kenwood School in Lowry Hill and there do seem to be lots of elementary-age kids around. The neighborhood as a whole isn't teeming with kids like Linden Hills, but they are definitely around and if you go with Kenwood you'll meet lots of neighborhood kids. If you go with a magnet like we did, odds are that more of the kids are going to live (much) farther south. We're moving about a mile south, and there are a lot more of kids around and a lot more of his school friends in closer proximity.

[anne.kelly]

We are moving to Kenwood with a 4yo boy in a month. Maybe we can meet up.
I loved the idea of Linden Hills, but most of the family friendly housing stock is new construction which wasn't what we were looking for. I think in Kenwood all those retired couples are probably going to be downsizing in a few years (like the people we bought our house from) and the single people will be having more kids, so Kenwood might become more family friendly eventually, although it won't have the cute business strip that Linden Hills has and of course, the proximity to middle and high school in LH is very desirable. I was also struck by the airplane noise in LH, which I guess people say you get used to after awhile, but for someone not used to it it is very striking.
From what I can tell, it seems most people moving from out of town seem to choose Edina or Kenwood over LH, whereas people who know Minneapolis better seem to choose LH or other areas around Lake Harriet.

[keeney]

Originally Posted by anne.kelly

We are moving to Kenwood with a 4yo boy in a month. Maybe we can meet up.
I loved the idea of Linden Hills, but most of the family friendly housing stock is new construction which wasn't what we were looking for. I think in Kenwood all those retired couples are probably going to be downsizing in a few years (like the people we bought our house from) and the single people will be having more kids, so Kenwood might become more family friendly eventually, although it won't have the cute business strip that Linden Hills has and of course, the proximity to middle and high school in LH is very desirable. I was also struck by the airplane noise in LH, which I guess people say you get used to after awhile, but for someone not used to it it is very striking.
From what I can tell, it seems most people moving from out of town seem to choose Edina or Kenwood over LH, whereas people who know Minneapolis better seem to choose LH or other areas around Lake Harriet.

Yeah, let us meet, we can have playdate.